Only one week remains at the Copenhagen Climate Summit (COP15). Delegates from around the world are hoping to hammer out an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Environment ministers started arriving in Copenhagen yesterday and world leaders will be arriving this coming week.

With the Kyoto protocol expiring in 2012, the goal of the Copenhagen conference is for 193 delegates to agree on an agreement and framework to combat climate change.

Agreement isn’t worth the paper it is written on

It doesn’t matter – an agreement isn’t worth the paper it is written on. Remember when Canada ratified the Kyoto treaty and committed to reducing emissions to 6% below 1990 levels during the 2008-2012 period? By 2004 Canada’s emissions had ballooned to 27% above the 1990 levels. The United States didn’t even bother to ratify Kyoto but still managed to contain their emission increases to just 16% above 1990 levels.

Governments and individuals love to blame other people and countries. Prime Minister Stephen Harper blames China and other developing nations for making it unfair for Canada to sign on. Environmentally-conscious citizens love to point their finger at Stephen Harper for his inaction on climate change.

All of the finger-pointing is pointless. We are all responsible for our unsustainable lifestyles. Let me repeat: WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR UNSUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES.

Ordinary people need to be willing to make sacrifices

Expecting your President or Prime Minister to singlehandedly solve the problem is like a hockey team relying on the coach to win the game. Yes, the coach does have the ability to implement a framework to build a winning team, but at the end of the day it is up to the players to rise up and win the game.

The government represents the people and it’s the people who aren’t willing to make drastic change to reduce our emissions, not the government. If enough people care and are willing to make sacrifices to reduce our emissions and demand the government to act accordingly, the government will act.

Canadians are addicted to their automobiles, large suburban homes, dirty electricity, and the wealthy economy thanks in part to the dirty Alberta tar sands.

Did you know in Denmark, an $85,000DKK car ($17,000USD) ends up costing $226,622DKK ($45,000USD) after you include the Value Added Tax (VAT), and the vehicle registration tax? (They tax 180% on the value exceeding 65,990DKK, and 105% on the value below $65,990DKK).

How is it that the Danish government can get away with such outrageous taxation? Because the government is backed by the people and the people generally agree that automobiles should be taxed highly to generate revenue for alternative transportation options, including cycling infrastructure and public transportation.

Economy always takes precedence

Many Canadians aren’t willing to make a drastic change to their lifestyle by making real sacrifices to help reduce emissions. When it comes to the age old economy vs. environment debate, the economy always takes precedence.

As inconvenient as it might seem, throwing your tin cans into a recycling box isn’t going to solve climate change.

British Columbia is the only province in Canada so far that has implemented a carbon tax. Effective July 1st, 2008, BC’s carbon tax is revenue neutral, meaning all of the revenue generated by the tax is given back through tax cuts.

It’s a small step, but it can help encourage people to change their habits. The people of British Columbia showed their commitment to reducing emissions by supporting such measures.

In the weeks prior to the Copenhagen conference, several countries have set forth a commitment to reduce their future emissions. Norway has committed to cutting its emissions by 40% in 2020, South Korea by 30%, Russia by 25%.

The United States plans to reduce emissions by 18% below 1990 levels by 2025 and 32% by 2030 – a lofty goal by any measure. It will be a true test of the American people to see if they have the will to make real change.

Stephen Harper had not planned to attend the conference but reversed on November 26th due to the pressure that manifested from China and the United States attending the conference and committing to specific targets.

It is sad that our leader isn’t committed to making change to combat climate change, but the truly sad part is that the people here in Canada aren’t yet ready to make any sort of sacrifice to combat climate change.

Sure, there are pockets of people who are willing to make sacrifices – I see it every day here in Toronto. But in general, as a country, we are not willing to sacrifice our lifestyles or economy.

What’s laughable is Stephen Harper pointing his finger at China for its rising emissions. The irony here is that China’s rise in emissions are largely the result of the products they are manufacturing for North America.

Canada wants its cake and to eat it too.

The coming days will be a test to the conviction of our Prime Minister to make specific emission reduction targets, but the coming months and years will be a true test to the people of Canada to make real change rather than waiting for the government to act.

it is so depressing – and we, australians, mirror you, canadians – we love our cars to bits, and exhibit no inclination to curb our destructive habits – when are we all going to get it, and cease our puerile behaviour?

can’t remember if i told you before that i have started a ‘concerted effort’ to change our mandatory helmet laws – i commenced my blog (http://freedomcyclist.blogspot.com/)on October 20 2009 to keep everyone posted of my progress so far – mainstream media is not interested because they are very good and law abiding, and neither are the bicycle organisations who refuse to talk to me because they consider me ‘bolshie’- but as i’m discovering there are so many other avenues to be heard and so many other supporters – very very heartening!!!

love your blog!

http://www.blogger.com/profile/04454437680686627778 James D. Schwartz

Hi Sue! Canadians and Australians are fortunate to have vast land, but it leads people to live big and consume more unfortunately.

I added a link to your blog and I will keep an eye on your cause. I hope you have success in encouraging your politicians to rescind your helmet law and encourage more people to cycle over there.